The guest book and hurricane lanterns for the centerpieces were purchased at Hobby Lobby,

a 50% off coupon.

Oh, the fun of getting box after box by UPS or FedEx nearly everyday!

We try to keep something yummy on hand to share with the drivers,

whom I am sure are tiring of trekking down our long driveway.

We have borrowed tulle, Christmas lights, silver service, crystal,

and other lovely items from everyone I can think of.

Putting together a simple yet elegant wedding has been oodles of fun for me, as I enjoy event planning. Anticipation of seeing it all come together is building day by day.

Last week, Brian and I spent three hours at the church mapping out how we are going to hang all the decorations for the reception and such, making a list for the hardware store as we went.

This week I am ordering flowers, making the ring pillow, finalizing out of town guest arrangements, handing out punch bowls and recipes to all the ladies who have graciously consented to bring food,

and breathing deeply.

Next week I will do the grocery shopping for the reception and the week of the wedding..

having planned crockpot or freezer meals and paper plates all week, and through the weekend,

well, except Thanksgiving day,

Then, I plan on ironing all the wedding clothes and tableclothes, hanging them all up with plastic covers. Then we will clean the house top to bottom.

and then, I will drink a good amount of my favorite relaxing tea and eat chocolate.

The week of the wedding, we will be decorating since the church is available all week: Monday the sanctuary and dining hall, Tuesday the reception hall and Wednesday, anything else that didn't get done, hopefully not a lot since we will be preparing for Thanksgiving here at Providence Lodge.

Friday we may have some out of town guests over for lunch, then the rehearsal and dinner.

Saturday,

The Wedding!

Sunday hanging out with whomever is still around,

and Monday loading the moving van to haul Anna's belongings off to her new home.

Then we will crash, no doubt, in a tumultuous mixture of happiness, exhaustion, and tears;

for my eldest has just moved out on his own,

our daughter will have left for her new home,

and our baby will turn two. (boohoo).

There is no doubt in my mind that as happy as I am now,
those issues of transition for this mama's heart will work their way out,
and I will need plenty of tissue and comfort food on hand.

(smile)
In the meantime, though, we are delighted and overjoyed for this young couple
whom God has brought together.
And we know, most thoroughly, that

Julianne - I am compelled to comment - I'll be praying for your family and the preparations over the next couple of weeks. And most definitely the weeks that follow as you and Anna both settle into "New", however that is for you. I do hope you are able to post at least one picture of the event and the lovely couple. I am a huge romantic too and what has been shared, from the beginning to now, warms my heart. Blessings to you all.

It sounds like you have everything planned really, really well!I will be praying for you. Almost 3 years ago, my son moved out on his own and my daughter got married. I did very, very well up to the reception. Then the tears began. I did get control of myself and only my closest friends had any idea! After the new couple and the rest of the guests left, the rest of my children and I all had a good cry! Mind you - my daughter moved to Hawaii! Anyway, it's wonderful, absolutely fun, and yet so emotional. I'm so thankful that we have more children at home!

Oh my! What a busy, happy, emotional time! Even though I am YEARS away from preparing for a daughter's wedding, I still appreciated the thoughts and plans you shared here, especially all those links. I didn't know flowers could be ordered like that from Costco! And the modest dress site was fun to look through. :)

May God give you an extra measure of His strength as you prepare for this oh-so-special wedding!

It will be beautiful! We went through this last year. Our oldest son and oldest daughter were each married a week a part. Then our daughter and her new husband moved to his home state of Ohio, our son and his new bride moved halfway across the world to serve in Amman, Jordan for a year and I was expecting our 11th baby! Thankfully Gracie was a little late. ;)Prayers and hugs as you move through these wonderful life transitions!

Julianne,I will be praying for you all. It can be very fun and exciting seeing your daughter get married but also a little over-whelming. :)You have planned VERY well. I know God has been in the plans and has answered many prayers, already. Get some rest before, if you can! You are one busy lady. I can't wait to see pictures....it will be beautiful.Blessings to you and your family during this time.Kim

God loves you!

...and is pleased with you because you are his child.

Not because of anything you do, how well you keep house, how good your kids are, how gifted or skilled you are. I encourage you to be still. Quietly slow down your pace, enjoying the beauty in each moment. Make the eternal your priority, your focus.